Yardley United Methodist Church
Nov 23 - Following The King
  • How Firm A Foundation (Foundation)
  • Cry Of My Heart

      • Luke 23:32–43NRSVUE

      • Colossians 1:11–20NRSVUE

  • Following the King to the Cross

    Bible Passage: Luke 23:33–43, Colossians 1:11–20

    Summary: In Luke 23:33–43, we see the crucifixion of Jesus and the transformative dialogue between Him and the repentant thief, highlighting grace even in suffering. Colossians 1:11–20 reveals the supremacy of Christ, encouraging believers that in His strength, they can exhibit endurance, patience, and joy despite trials.
    Application: This sermon helps Christians understand that following Jesus entails facing hardships, yet adhering to His example provides strength and inspiration. In moments of struggle, they are reminded to find joy not in their circumstances but in their identity as followers of Christ and their hope in His redemption.
    Teaching: The central teaching focuses on the need for endurance in faith, the practice of patience in trials, and finding joy rooted in the presence of Christ. This reinforces how our relationship with Jesus empowers us to persevere and rejoice amid challenges.
    How this passage could point to Christ: In the context of the entire Bible, Christ embodies endurance through His suffering on the cross and His patient love toward sinners, culminating in His supreme authority over creation as depicted in Colossians. His sacrifice not only saves but also sets the pattern for how we are to live as His followers.
    Big Idea: Enduring hardships as followers of Christ builds our faith and allows us to share in His joy, highlighting that true strength and contentment come from relying on Him throughout our trials.
    Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider diving deeper into the historical context of crucifixion in Luke 23, focusing on the themes of forgiveness and hope present in that moment. Additionally, explore the Christological implications of 'the image of the invisible God' in Colossians 1:15-20, which may lead you to reflect on how understanding Christ's nature helps us navigate our endurance and patience in life.

    I. Endurance at the Cross (Luke 23:33–37)

    In order to understand kingship as God would have it, we must return to Scripture where we find the greatest authority and example, in Christ and his Crucifixion. His perfect endurance as He faced intense trials.
    The Setting of Suffering: Jesus was crucified at "The Skull" (Kranion, or Golgotha), a site likely outside the walled city of Jerusalem, alongside two criminals. Crucifixion was a cruel and inhuman form of capital punishment that Rome employed to terrorize potential criminals or revolutionaries into submission.
    Ultimate Endurance Modeled: Despite his intense suffering, Jesus remained steadfast and did not retaliate. This moment shows us how we, as believers, can draw on His strength to endure trials patiently.
    The Prayer of Forgiveness: Jesus began with a prayer, lived in prayer, and ended with a prayer. A striking example of endurance is Jesus’ prayer: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”. (Forgiving Ignorance)
    Jesus was concerned for the souls of His executioners and enemies, even as they nailed Him to the cross.
    He asked for forgiveness for all those involved in His death, from the Sanhedrin, to Pilot, and the soldiers, to the people who yelled for his crucifixion, setting an example of love for enemies.
    He modeled His own teaching on love for enemies and nonviolence.
    The Irony of Mockery: Jesus was constantly mocked: the religious taunted Him to save Himself if He was the "Messiah of God, his chosen one," while the soldiers taunted Him as a powerless "King of the Jews."
    The profound irony: Jesus could only save others by refusing to save himself.
    Transition Statement: Endurance, however, is not mere stoicism; it is coupled with hope. As Luke shifts our focus from the steadfastness of Christ to the interaction beside Him, we see how the promise of redemption generates joy.
    Note: Stoicism and the teachings of Jesus share similarities in areas like ethical conduct, self-control, and focusing on what one can control. However, Stoicism emphasizes achieving virtue through reason and self-discipline alone, while Christianity points to divine grace for salvation and transformation; the hope of our salvation resulting in pure joy.

    II. Joy in Redemption's Promise (Luke 23:38–43)

    Amidst the darkness of the cross, the dialogue between Jesus and the repentant criminal provides a profound insight into joy and hope.
    Contrasting Responses: While one criminal mocked Jesus, urging Him to save them both if He was the Messiah, the other criminal rebuked the mocker.
    Repentance and Recognition: The repentant criminal acknowledged their just condemnation, stating, "we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong".
    This response showed a surprising degree of repentance and faith.
    A Confession of Faith: The criminal then pleaded, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom”.
    He recognized Jesus as a King who, even in death, could profit the dead.
    The Assurance of Joy: Jesus replied with the ultimate assurance: "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise".
    The Source of Joy: Jesus' grace towards the thief shows that our Identity in Christ is the key to finding joy, a joy that is independent of our present painful circumstances. Seeing through the eyes of redemption can transform moments of despair into hope.
    Transition Statement: We might ask: How does this power from the cross, this assurance of paradise, translate into the strength we need today? The Apostle Paul provides the answer, explaining that our capacity for endurance and joy is divinely empowered.

    III. Patience Through His Power (Colossians 1:11–14)

    The Apostle Paul writes to the Colossians, revealing that endurance and patience are virtues cultivated through divine power.
    Divine Empowerment: Paul prays for his fellow believers to be "made strong with all the strength that comes from [Christs] glorious power," so that they may have "all endurance and patience, joyfully".
    Defining Necessary Virtues:
    Endurance hypomonē (gr.) is the capacity to continue to bear up under difficult circumstances or life events.
    Patiencema krothymē (gr.) is "a state of emotional calm in the face of provocation or misfortune," usually provocation that comes from other persons.
    Both of these virtues are essential for those who desire to walk in the will of God, ensuring neither circumstances nor people upset them.
    Reasons for Thanksgiving and Strength: Our strength comes from the Father, who is thanked because:
    He enabled believers to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.
    He rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son.
    In the Son, we have redemption, which is the forgiveness of sins.
    Redemption and Forgiveness: Redemption involves the payment of a price to secure freedom from the slavery of sin, while forgiveness stresses the free act of God’s grace.
    These two terms complement one another; God’s justice and mercy go hand in hand.
    Transition Statement: The capacity for this kind of patience and joy comes not just from a past historical act, but from the present, foundational truth of Christ's identity. Our strength is rooted in the supremacy of Jesus Christ over everything.

    IV. Supremacy and Enduring Joy (Colossians 1:15–20)

    Paul enlightens the Colossians of Christ's supremacy as the foundation for enduring joy, establishing Him as Lord over creation and redemption.
    Christ's Supremacy Over Creation (1:15–17):
    He is the image of the invisible God, the unique manifestation of deity, making the invisible God visible.
    He is the firstborn of all creation, meaning He is preeminent or first in priority over creation.
    All things were created in Him, through Him, and for Him. This includes all things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible (including thrones, dominions, rulers, or powers).
    He is before all things, and by Him, all things hold together; He is the sustainment and cement of the universe.
    Christ's Supremacy Over Redemption (1:18–20):
    He is the head of the body, the church, serving as our source of authority and government.
    He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, rising from the realm of the dead to new life, guaranteeing a resurrection existence for believers, so "that in everything he might have the supremacy".
    All the fullness of God was pleased to dwell in Him—He is completely God.
    Through Him, God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
    The goal of divine reconciliation is that every aspect of creation, affected by sin, will be put into proper relation to Christ.

    V. Practical Theology for Today

    Christ's teachings and example of endurance and patience directly apply to our daily interactions, especially when we face people who cause us persistent difficulty or provocation.
    We the stakes are high, and the pressure increases, the continuous provocations will inevitably come, and it demands our patience.
    The Response (Power and Patience): Instead of retaliating, choose Godly patience (makrothymē), maintaining emotional calm despite the repeated provocation, relying on God to sustain you.
    The Foundation (Supremacy and Joy):
    Remember Christ’s ultimate endurance on the cross, where He chose forgiveness over retaliation for those who deeply wronged Him.
    Find joy, not in the conflict ending, but in the assurance of your identity in Christ and the guaranteed inheritance you possess in the kingdom of light.
    Trust that Christ, who created all visible and invisible powers (including the dynamics in your community group), sustains and rules over the entire universe, including your present situation.
    Follow the example of Christ, who reconciled all things by making peace through His blood.
    Your patience becomes an application of divine reconciliation, putting your relationship with the provoker—and with God—into proper order.
    Just as a master artisan sustains the intricate design of a colossal statue, ensuring that all pieces hold together and serve the intended purpose, Christ sustains our entire universe, including your specific trial.
    When you rely on His supreme power, your endurance becomes less of a burden and more of a channel for His joy and strength.
  • Majesty
  • Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow
  • Sent Out In Jesus' Name (Enviado)
Yardley United Methodist Church
office@yardleyumc.org
(215) 493-3345
https://www.yardleyumc.org
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